Mid range 357 loads

Unique or Power Pistol. A loading manual will give you better information.

If you want to reduce barrel wear, use a cast bullet. Other than that, universal will do what you want if you have it on hand.

I am having good results with 5 grains of CFE Pistol and Missouri Bullet Co 148 gr PPC #2 Hi-Tek. From a 6 inch barrel from two different guns avg velocity is 1020 fps. This bullet is a double ended wad cutter, bevel base, Brinnel 12 hardness. I've tried different OAL, different powders, 38 cases, 357 cases, crimp and no crimp. I didn't use CFE published data for this combo because there isn't any I could find. Universal works too with less powder, but velocity will be lower for the same pressure level.

In 10 shot strings, extreme spreads in velocity are single digit low, usually. All three of my guns, SW, DW, Colt prefer this load. Bullseye accurate. In the velocity range you are looking for. Mild recoil. More accurate than 140 XTP jacketed with lower extreme spreads in velocity. No leading.

Here is my winning load: 38 special cases, 148 DEWC loaded and Lee Factory Crimped to 1.250" OAL, Winchester WSPM primers, 5.0 grains of Hodgdon CFE Pistol.

You can down load them to 38spl loads. Just all 0.1-0.2 gr more for the extra case capacity. I use WST for my reduced 357mag loads.

I have shot thousands of ww cast 158 SWC’s over 5.0 gr of bullseye out of a 6” Ruger GP-100 and they are pleasant to shoot. No clue on the velocity, but they knock thing over down range.

Hodgdon data (double check I don't think I have any typos)
Bullet Powder Powder Len Start Gr Vel Pressure Max Gr Vel Pressure
158 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon Universal .358" 1.610" 4 890 15,700 CUP 6.2 1247 33,400 CUP
158 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon HP-38 .358" 1.610" 3.4 796 12,600 CUP 5 1109 23,900 CUP


158 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Universal .357" 1.580" 5.8 1026 32,100 CUP 6.3 1133 39,300 CUP
158 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon HP-38 .357" 1.580" 6.2 1108 33,700 CUP 6.9 1220 40,000 CUP

You mentioned these two, but lots of powders (medium speed pistol)will get you there.

I really like HS-6 and a 158gr bullet for making the loads you're looking for. Use a magnum primer with HS-6, I prefer CCI-550 primers. If you want to stick with the powders you have Power Pistol will deliver what you're looking for. If your books don't have the load data you need for PP check the Alliant site.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

When I get a chance I'm going to give W572 a try and see if it will replace HS-6 but for now it's HS-6. It's especially good with Cast bullets IMO.

Good luck, keep us updated.

Of the powders you listed, I would think Power Pistol will give you what you want.

My go-to powder for mid-range loads in 357 and 44 magnums is BE86.

Try between 8.0-8.3 gr of Power Pistol with your 158 gr LSWCs. I had good luck with it in mine. It seemed to be a sweet spot.

BE86 would be good, Power Pistol is very similar, and would also be good .

I'e tried Bullseye and it worked fine but there is not enough case fill for me. I use Unique for mid range .357 magnum.

Average Joe said:

BE86 would be good, Power Pistol is very similar, and would also be good .

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My experience is that BE86 is less sensitive to powder position (powder-forward effect).

2400. Good range for loads.

I use unique, then universal

I use 6 grains Unique with a 158 grain 357446 bullet that I cast.

I'm using 4.5gr of Bullseye with Missouri hard cast 158gr SWC's in 357 cases. That puts me at a +P load in my 4" M-19. I've also had good luck with Dardas 148gr wadcutters over 6.0gr of Unique in the same cases.

HB said:

I have a M-66 smith that I enjoy shooting but don’t want to wear out.

Anybody have any recommendations for a 1000-1200 fps 158gr SWC load using bullseye, power pistol, HP38, or Clays?

I have used h110 with XTPs and while accurate it seems like too much for a k frame.

HB

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5.7 gr HP-38 under a 158 gr plated bullet gave me about 1100 fps, 6.0 gr gave 1200 fps. 5.7 gr Unique under the same bullet gave me just about the same 1100 fps velocity. Universal would be in the same ballpark. Both in a 4" barrel Taurus Model 66. The HP-38 gives a very satisfying flash. If you want, you can decrease the HP-38 from 5.7 gr down as low as low as about 3.9 gr HP-38 (.38 Special levels) to find a load you and your gun like. I'm a wimp and like the lighter loads. I use plated or coated bullets (same loads) rather than lubed lead because one of my Taurus revolvers will lead no matter what I do, plus I'm just as glad not to be handling bare lead while reloading.

7.0 gr Unique with an ACME 158 coated SWC is pleasant. I don't own a chrono, but it's definitely in between my warm .38 Spl loads and my H110 loads with the same bullet.